News

Iraqi National Wanted for Murder in Iraq Arrested in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO - Omar Ameen, 45, an Iraqi national, wanted on a murder charge in Iraq, appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Sacramento today in connection with proceedings to extradite him to face trial in Iraq. Ameen settled in Sacramento as a purported refugee and attempted to gain legal status in the United States.

The arrest was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott for the Eastern District of California, Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, and Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office.

Mail Theft Suspect in Custody: Mother ID's Suspect From BVN Facebook Photo

MADERA – Thanks to one particular reader of Big Valley News the suspect in a recent rash of mail thefts on Madera’s Westside has now been identified. James “Skyy” Vasquez (19) was identified by his mother following seeing his photos on our Facebook page.

Big Valley News shared the information with Madera Police Wednesday evening only to learn the next morning the suspect was arrested overnight by Fresno Police on car theft charges and an active warrant for domestic violence.

DOJ Special Agents Assist Operation Targeting Fresno Gangs: Two Plead Guilty to Firearms Offenses

FRESNO - On Monday, Devone Johnson, 32, and Anthony Thomas, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on October 9, 2016, Johnson and Thomas possessed an Uzi Model A, 9 mm rifle. Thomas was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous felony conviction. Johnson was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.

Johnson and Thomas were arrested on November 3, 2016, along with 18 other defendants following a year-long multi-agency investigation that targeted criminal street gangs in Fresno. Other defendants also have pleaded guilty to various firearms and drug offenses, including:

Owner of Bakersfield Catholic-Interest Website Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion

FRESNO - U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd sentenced Michael Galloway, 63, of Bakersfield, to 21 months in prison for tax evasion, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Galloway was ordered to surrender to serve his sentence beginning on November 14, 2018.

On March 21, 2018, a jury in Fresno returned a guilty verdict today, convicting on four counts of tax evasion. Galloway owns and operates the website, Catholic Online. According to court documents, Galloway generated revenue by selling advertising and hosting to faith-based businesses.

Merced Former CEO and Licensed Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

FRESNO - Sandra Haar, 57, of Merced, pleaded guilty today to health care fraud and conspiracy to receive kickbacks, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Haar was the founder and chief executive officer of Horisons Unlimited, a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provided health and dental services in Merced and surrounding communities.

According to court documents, between January 1, 2014, and March 2017, Haar orchestrated a scheme to bill Medicare and Medi-Cal for services she knew were not reimbursable, and she profited by over $3.7 million from her fraud. For example, Haar billed Medi‑Cal for health and dental services that were not rendered and for unnecessary health care services. She also billed Medi-Cal for office visits with purportedly licensed doctors when the patients instead were dispensed Suboxone, an opioid medication, in the parking lots of McDonald’s and Rite Aid in baggies.

Clovis Man Dies Follow Crash at Madera Speedway

MADERA – A Clovis man died Saturday evening following a crash in the 21^st lap of the 360 Super Modified at the Madera Speedway. Donnie Large Sr. was leading the four car race while coming down the front straightaway it appeared as though his car lost power.

Large coasted around turns one and two as the car slowed down and hit the turn two wall and turned left to slowly came down the track until it stopped against the inside retaining wall after making contact with third place driver Lance Jackson.

Fresno Man Indicted on Firearms Charges

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Kalif Eban Bess, 43, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on May 5, 2018, a .357 revolver with six live rounds was discovered in Bess’s backpack. Bess was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on prior felony convictions.

This case is the product of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Fresno Police Department, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McKeon is prosecuting the case.